"I think Aunt is right."Mu Beiyin lowered her head shyly. "But Shiqing just likes a vixen like me. He doesn't like innocent and naive women like Miss Yuan. What should I do?"
The entire living room fell silent. Everyone stared at Mu Beiyin, dumbfounded.
Huo Shiqing: "..."He had overthought it. He had assumed Mrs. Huo would be upset.
Madam Yuan and Yuan Shishi's expressions stiffened, their faces dark as ink.
Mu Beiyin continued, "Why don't you start learning from me, Miss Yuan? You're still young. There's time."
Madam Yuan's face turned red with anger, and she snapped, "You shameless woman! How dare you suggest Shishi learn from you! Shishi is a noble young lady—what are you?!"
Mu Beiyin smiled sweetly. "I'm not much, but apparently Miss Yuan's noble status still isn't enough to catch Shiqing's eye. He cares more about me. Maybe my charm is just too irresistible."
Madam Yuan nearly choked.That wasn't what she meant!How could Mu Beiyin be so brazen?!
Yuan Shishi clutched her chest, her breathing ragged. "Miss Mu, you…"Before she could finish her sentence, her frail figure collapsed.
Madam Yuan cried out, "Shiqing, look at Mu Beiyin! Shishi is still your sister! How can you stand by and watch her suffer? Shiqing…"
"Sister?" Huo Shiqing calmly interrupted, raising an eyebrow with a mocking smile. "Does the Yuan family have a special fondness for adopted daughters?"
Madam Yuan's wails caught in her throat, stuck halfway.
Silence fell over the room. A dozen people sat there, not daring to speak.
Huo Shiqing's tone remained calm, but carried an unshakable weight:"Every stray cat and dog dares to be my assistant? Fourth Madam Yuan, kindly pass along this message—if she wants to stay in that position peacefully, she'd better not cross me."
With that, Huo Shiqing took Mu Beiyin's hand. "Come, I'll take you to see Grandma."
Madam Yuan and Yuan Shishi could only watch as Huo Shiqing left, their faces pale and ugly, yet none of them dared stop him—because of that one word: "adopted."
Huo Shiqing led Mu Beiyin through several winding paths before arriving at an exquisitely designed courtyard.
"Don't take anything they say to heart. I've never been close to the Yuan family since I was young, and I've never met Yuan Shishi before."
Mu Beiyin looked at him in surprise.Why was he explaining this to her?She hadn't taken it to heart.
Huo Shiqing narrowed his eyes. "So Mrs. Huo doesn't seem to care much."
Mu Beiyin blinked. "…" Should she care?She didn't care what Yuan Shishi said or did—so long as she didn't disgust her.
Huo Shiqing's gaze deepened.As Mrs. Huo, she didn't even mind other women trying to seduce him.Was it because she trusted him that much—or because she didn't take the marriage seriously at all?
Casually, Huo Shiqing said, "Mrs. Huo, remember—don't disappoint Grandma."
Upon hearing that, Mu Beiyin immediately linked arms with him. "Don't worry. When it comes to acting, I'm a professional."
Soon, a woman who looked like the housekeeper stepped out of the courtyard. "Shiqing, you're here! This must be Beiyin? The old madam is waiting for you both."
Mu Beiyin had seen many types of people and could tell at a glance that this housekeeper was genuinely welcoming.
Under the wisteria vines in the courtyard sat an elderly lady, eyes closed as she rested peacefully.
Huo Shiqing's usual oppressive and sharp aura faded. He approached gently, squatting down. "Grandma."
Mu Beiyin was taken aback.It was the first time she had seen such an expression on Huo Shiqing's face.
He was the head of the massive Huo Corporation, rarely showing emotion.But now—he was clearly happy.
Hearing his voice, the old lady opened her kind eyes. "Shiqing, Beiyin, come sit."
Once seated, the old madam smiled warmly. "Shiqing, looks like you took Grandma's advice—you didn't just marry anyone. You chose someone you truly love."
Mu Beiyin almost broke character: "…"Truly love? Had she acted too well and fooled the elderly woman?
Huo Shiqing didn't correct her.
The old lady was very pleased. "I can tell right away—your heart and eyes are full of Beiyin. That's good. A marriage with love is the only kind that lasts."
Huo Shiqing answered calmly, "Yes, I love her very much."
Mu Beiyin's face turned bright red and she coughed.So Mr. Huo was the real actor here—his performance was flawless, deceiving even his grandmother.She felt completely outclassed.
The old lady looked even more satisfied and turned to Mu Beiyin. "If Shiqing ever bullies you, you must tell me. I'll straighten him out for you."
Seeing how happy the old madam was, Mu Beiyin suddenly felt a pang of guilt.The old lady was overjoyed that her grandson had found someone he truly loved—but this so-called love was nothing but an act.
Just then, Huo Shiqing shot her a subtle look.
Mu Beiyin instantly resumed her role, smiling bashfully. "Grandma, how could Shiqing bully me? He barely has time to pamper me."
"You sweet-talking child." The old lady laughed heartily. "You must come to my birthday celebration next month. Oh, and do you play the piano?"
Mu Beiyin froze.The old madam's birthday next month?Wait—this would be a major event. Grandpa Song would definitely attend.But why had he never mentioned it?
The more she thought about it, the more anxious she felt.It seemed increasingly likely that the Yuan and Song families weren't close after all.But she had thoroughly verified that Huo Shiqing was the heir of the Song family—She couldn't have been wrong… could she?
"Beiyin?" the old lady called again.
Mu Beiyin snapped back. "Yes, Grandma. I can play."
The old madam took out a music score. "Then let me give this to you."
Just then, the housekeeper whispered, "Madam, that's…"
"A score is meant for someone with a connection," the old lady said cheerfully. "Beiyin, if you can master this piece, play it for me next time."
Mu Beiyin hesitated. She wasn't sure if she should accept the sheet music, but instinctively flipped it open—And was instantly stunned. "This is the long-lost piece, 'Return from Afar'!"
Huo Shiqing turned to her sharply, narrowing his eyes.
The so-called "country-raised" Miss Mu, a natural at piano, could pick things up easily—But she also recognized this lost piece at first glance.
Mrs. Huo's ten years in the "countryside" were becoming more and more intriguing to him.
The old lady was surprised. "You actually know this piece? My daughter composed it. It's not lost—I just didn't want it played by people who don't understand music."
"But you clearly do. Giving it to you must be fate."
From the old lady's words and the housekeeper's reaction, Mu Beiyin deduced that her daughter had likely passed away.
Rumor had it the Song heir's birth mother had also died young…So was the old madam's daughter actually Huo Shiqing's mother?
But just then, the old lady suddenly recalled something—And let out a cold laugh—